Whether you’re chasing long distances, lightning-fast speeds or simply the exhilaration of gliding over technical trails, The North Face Summit VECTIV Pro 3 could easily be your trail shoe of the year.
Previous versions of this flagship model have powered athletes to victory at some of the world’s most prestigious trail races, including the legendary Jon Albon and Josh Wade.
Now in its third iteration, the shoe promises an even higher level of performance. This isn’t just a tweak – it’s a full-scale evolution, honed in with the brand’s elite Athlete Team and built to dominate the toughest ultra-distance courses on the planet.
At the heart of the Summit Pro 3 is the cutting-edge VECTIV 3.0 platform, featuring a dual-layer carbon-fibre plate setup. This includes a full-length, high-performance plate designed for propulsion, complemented by a secondary top plate made from recycled carbon fibre that adds lateral stability when the terrain – or your legs – start to get wobbly.
Beneath that, the new nitrogen-infused DREAM foam midsole brings bounce and durability in equal measure, with 4mm more cushioning than its predecessor and a stack height of 32/26mm.
The result is high-rebound comfort that won’t pack out before you do. A rockered geometry helps propel you effortlessly into your next stride, while a targeted midfoot foam insert keeps longer races feeling cruisy underfoot.
Up top, a seamless, airy upper reduces hot spots on warmer days, while integrated tongue wings and a light support frame ensure a locked-in feel that adapts to your foot as the miles tick by. The finishing touch is a sticky SURFACE CTRL outsole with 3.5mm lugs for confident grip on technical trails.
At £225, this is a serious investment, but if your goal is to go further, faster and with fewer niggles, the Summit VECTIV Pro 3 will earn its place on race day. The shoe is available now to buy from The North Face – and here are five reasons to give it a go.
5 reasons The North Face Summit VECTIV Pro 3 should be your next trail race-day trainer
1. Dual-stacked VECTIV 3.0 carbon plate system for enhanced propulsion and stability
At the core of the Pro 3 is its most innovative feature yet: the dual-stacked carbon-fibre plate system.
This setup includes a full-length propulsion plate that delivers exceptional energy return with every stride, while a second plate made from recycled carbon fibre adds lateral stability.
This combination helps you maintain control and efficiency on technical, uneven trails – especially crucial during the later stages of a race when fatigue sets in. The result is a ride that feels fast, fluid and stable, no matter how rugged the terrain.
2. Responsive and cushioned DREAM foam midsole
Underfoot, The North Face has incorporated its most advanced foam technology to date – an ultralight, nitrogen-infused DREAM midsole made from a high-performance PEBA/EVA compound.
It’s engineered to offer maximum rebound while maintaining lightweight responsiveness, even over ultra distances.
Compared to its predecessor, the Pro 3 features 4mm more cushioning and a generous stack height of 32mm at the heel and 26mm at the forefoot. This means more impact protection and long-distance comfort, without sacrificing the nimbleness needed to push the pace on race day.
3. Breathable and supportive seamless upper
The upper is built to perform as well as it feels. Designed with a seamless, breathable mesh, it allows heat and moisture to escape quickly – ideal for long, hot races where ventilation matters.
The integrated tongue wings wrap the foot securely, while a lightweight internal support frame adds just the right amount of structure to keep your foot locked in. Together, these features create a snug, adaptive fit that enhances confidence with every step, mile after mile.
4. Durable SURFACE CTRL outsole with optimised traction
Grip is everything when the terrain turns tricky, and the VECTIV Pro 3 delivers with a robust SURFACE CTRL rubber outsole. Made with 20% rubber sourced from smallholder farmers using sustainable agroforestry methods, the outsole is as responsible as it is reliable.
Multi-directional 3.5mm lugs are strategically designed to provide traction on everything from loose gravel descents to wet, rooty climbs. It’s a sole built to bite into the trail and keep you moving forward with confidence.
5. Proven performance in elite trail races
If pedigree matters, the VECTIV Pro 3 has it in spades. This latest model builds on a legacy of podium-proven performance, with earlier versions helping The North Face athletes secure victories at some of the toughest and most prestigious trail races in the world, including the UTMB and Transgrancanaria.
Developed in close collaboration with these elite athletes, every design choice reflects a commitment to race-day excellence – making it a trusted companion for anyone looking to go fast, far and fearlessly.
Head to The North Face's website to find out more.